During a recent heat wave in Los Angeles my husband turned to me and said, “Let’s go to Palm Springs!” He said this as if the desert was the most logical place to escape a heat wave. The crazier thing was that I said, “Let’s do it!” I have spent most of my life going down to the desert for weekend get-aways as my grandparents and parents have had vacation homes in the area. Now one of my brothers and his wife have a vacation place there too so it is really fun to get out of the city and have some mini family pow-wows under the desert sky.

We piled into our car and headed out. I was happily sitting with most of the air conditioning vents pointed directly at me thinking about our upcoming adventure. Then my husband started telling me what the outside car temperature gauge was saying, “100 F”, “108 F”, “113 F”…when would it stop? I suddenly remembered, I don’t like hot weather — what was I doing here? That was when Spaceman placated me by saying we could stop at Oasis Date Garden and have a date shake. The birds outside began chirping again (figuratively of course as it was too hot in reality), all was right in the world as I would soon have ice cream.

Oasis Date Garden is located slightly beyond Palm Springs in Thermal, California, nestled among date groves and not far from some rail road tracks. It is not fancy by any means, but it has its own charm and the employees are very friendly. I am not a huge fan of the date (the fruit not the event), but Spaceman is somewhat of an aficionado. Having said that, this place makes the best date shakes. You have to spoon out the ice cream mixture from the cup as it is so thick — wonderful!

The property has a nice grass picnic area next to it for sitting under the palm trees and eating the goodies just purchased. This trip, however, I chose a nice table inside with the air conditioning as it was 116 F outside. Oasis also offers a sampling table of their dates and beautifully packaged date varieties that make nice gifts.

Although Oasis Date Garden is a bit off the beaten path for people heading to Palm Springs, it is well worth a visit. Christmas is coming up so why not ditch the unwanted fruit cake and give a gift that will be liked, dates.

Oasis Date Garden is located at: 59-111 Grapefruit Blvd, Thermal, CA  92274

Store Hours: 9AM – 4PM Daily; Call for Holiday Hours; Closed Sunday’s During Summer Months

Website: www.oasisdate.com